To some, he is a quiet student who often spends time alone, with a "unique" sense of humor and a zest for his studies. To others, he is an intense and "odd" individual who has difficulty relating to people.

Joshua M. Elster '00 of Kirkland House was arraigned yesterday on three counts of rape and two counts of assault and battery.

Elster's family, friends and advisors said last night they were stunned to learn of his arrest.

"He's never been in trouble before," said Fred Elster, Joshua's father, from his home in Tucson, Ariz. last night. "I can't say he's innocent, but I know my son. He's never even had a traffic ticket."

Fred Elster said his son has spoken to him every day since he was arrested, and Joshua has strongly denied the charges.

Friends said Elster is a fine arts concentrator who has become very close to some of his professors.

One of them, Professor of Fine Arts Henri T. Zerner, to whom friends said Elster was particularly close, said last night he was surprised to hearof the charges.

"It amazes me," Zerner said. He characterizedElster as "very brooding, a very quiet, gentlesort of person."

"He was going to do some work with me as anundergraduate assistant," Zerner said.

"He may have gotten out of his mind, orsomething--that's assuming the charges are true,"he said.

A friend of Elster's, who asked not to beidentified, agreed that Elster is "a verypassionate art student."

But the friend added that Elster frequentlyspends time alone.

"He did have trouble relating to people," shesaid. "He and I had difficulties in ourfriendship."

Some of Elster's classmates made similarobservations about his personality.

Kevin M. Mailender '00, who lives in Kirkland,has known Elster since last year.

"We kind of thought he was a weird guy,"Mailender said. "He didn't have social skills ingeneral.

A sophomore in Currier House, speaking oncondition of anonymity, said, "He just had a veryintense way about him, and he's very good atmaking people uncomfortable."

Fred Elster said he hopes the Harvard communitywill wait until the case is resolved beforejudging his son.

"All my life, I've lived for this moment. Meand my wife are both older people. This is allwe've got," he said. "That's all we've livedfor...for my son to be able to stand on his owntwo feet."

Fred Elster said he fears that even if thecharges against his son are dropped or Joshua isacquitted of the crime, Joshua's educationalcareer at Harvard will be "effectively finished."

Still, he said, "my son might have a chance tocome back if he's found innocent."

Fred Elster said he and his family will wait tosee how the case develops before deciding whetherto come to Cambridge to visit Joshua.

Elster has a strong interest in foreignlanguages, according to friends. He took Italianlast year and intends to begin an intensive studyof the French language.

Elster is also an editor of the HarvardLampoon, having successfully completed the humormagazine's comp last spring.

Friends all agreed that Elster has a decidedlyunique sense of humor.

Matthew J. T. Murray '99, the Lampoon'spresident, said in a statement for theorganization that they were surprised to learnElster had been arrested.

"We know nothing about the charges as of yet,and rape is a horrible thing no matter when ithappens," Murray said